Some go by and think that Bollywood Theater on Alberta is a theater showing India's Bollywood flicks. But, really it's a fantastic little restaurant that has a contemporary East Indian theme including Bollywood. And, yes there are movies in surprising locations within the restaurant. (More on that later)

Elizabeth R. Rose

It was a rainy day and we were in the mood for good warm food in an interesting restaurant. We found that on Alberta Street on the corner of Alberta and NE 21st Street. The restaurant smelled amazing, it was light and bright and, well, very interesting.

The menu offered Indian Street Food. We chose small plates since it was lunch time. I had the Chicken Curry and he had Pork Vindaloo, both in the $8.00 range. The restaurant offered Indian soft drinks, wine and beer. You order at the desk and they create your meals fresh and deliver them to your table.

Our small plates were before us. Each was steaming and had just enough sauce to add to the rice and Indian bread. The meats were tender. Even though the small plates were, indeed, small they were delightful to enjoy. Every forkful was savored.

But, on to the Bollywood films. It was daylight so the screen showing a film in the dining room was not very visible. However, when I entered the brightly colored, delightfully decorated women's room, there was a screen there showing a Bollywood film. I might have dallied had we not considered having ice cream after lunch!

Bollywood Theater has an extensive, very interesting menu and I'll certainly return. They offer take out as well.

So yes, we did have some ice cream. Next door to Bollywood Theater is a very good ice cream shop... Salt and Straw. Consider this... Honey Basalmic Strawberry with Cracked Pepper. Yes, that's an ice cream flavor. All the ice cream is hand mixed and packed using local ingredients whenever possible. Farm to cone?

Bollywood Theater and Salt and Straw are two good reasons to head down to Alberta Street for a couple of hours.

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Journalist Elizabeth Rose has been writing about Portland and the West for over 15 years. An expert in cultural tourism, she has found the culture and history of the Pacific Northwest a never-ending source for fascinating articles and colorful photographs. Elizabeth can be contacted via southwestliz@yahoo.com.